The nation’s High Court of Justice rejected a petition filed by residents of the Arab village of Wallaje challenging continued construction of the security barrier in the Betar Illit area. The defense establishment is seeking to move ahead with this particular section of the security barrier, which has been halted due to the petition. The court rejected the contention of residents that the security barrier would prove an insurmountable obstacle preventing them from accessing their farmlands in the area.

Following the court’s ruling, construction on this section of the barrier may continue. The barrier is the defense establishment’s response to terrorism, which has been on the increase since the signing of the Oslo Accords in September 1993. The barrier is intended to eliminate or at least significantly curtail terrorist incursions into Jewish areas, as well as to prevent rock-throwing, firebomb and shooting attacks in certain areas, where it is high enough to prevent such attacks.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)